Track switch stand



Aug. 29, 1950 J. E. TROSPER 2,520,239

max SWITCH sum:

Filed Feb. 28, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E5 w a 4.9 33 32 all/2f, l0

Mamas/5' 7705 6/ IN ENTOR ATTORNEYS Aug. 29, 1950 J. E. TROSPER 2,520,239

' TRACK SWITCH STAND Filed Feb. 28, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jazz/e6 5 77*06 er INVENTOR ATTORN EYS Patented Aug. 29, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My present invention, in its broad aspect, has to do with improvements in safety switch operat ing and latching devices, and more particularly it is my purpose to provide a switch operating mechanism which in one position is actuated from the side of the tracks and out of the way of rolling stock thereon so that the operator is in no danger of being injured. My device is especially adapted for use in mines and the like, where it has heretofore been the practice to take a position in the middle of the track and kick over the switch latch with the feet to permit the empty car to enter the working place where it is to be loaded. In practice, a motor pushes a string of cars in front of it and cars are cut-off and pushed into the spur or switch whereupon a trip rider, who carries a hook pulls the switch back by stepping down and reaching in front of the next car and pulling the latch back to strengthen the main track. With my present invention, the operator stands at the side of the track, out of the way of danger, and operates the switch. To throw the switch over to open the spur it is merely necessary to step on the center actuating bar of the switch, and to bring the switch back, it is merely necessary to step on a pedal at the side of the track and out of the way of danger.

My latch is simple in construction and positive in operation, and the switch operating mechanism is sturdy, practical and eiiicient and has no Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the same in closed position after the latch has been tripped; I

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tongue- Figure 8 is a side View of the switch pull bar;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified form of the switch actuating structure per se with the latch removed, and

Figure 10 is a section on the line Ill-l0 of Figure 9.

In the drawings wherein like characters of' reference are used to designate like or similar parts:

The numeral i designates the main line tracks,

' 2 a spur line, 3 the switch from the main line to parts which are likely to get out of order or become deranged or inapt for use. 4

Other and equally important objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings, but it is pointed out that changes in form, size, shape, construction and arrangement of parts is permissible within the purview of my broad inventive concept and within the scope of the appended claims. I

In the drawings wherein I have illustrated a preferred form of my invention:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a main line, spur and switch equipped with my invention, with the switch shown in open position;

Figure 2 is a, longitudinal section through my switch operating mechanism and latch in its open position and although the actuating elements are shown in a straight line it will be understood that there is sufficient play in the joints to permit the pin at the center to move downwardly slightly below a plane extended through the pivot points at the ends;

the spur line and back, and 4 the ties. Two of the ties 5 and 6 are extended, as shown in Figure 1, to form supports for my switch operating device and latch. Mounted on the triangular brackets 1, attached as at 8, respectively to the ties 5 and 6, is an anchoring pin 9. Connected centrally of the pin 9 is a pull spring it, the other end of which is connected to the upstanding ear ll of a pull rod 12. flat and turned, as at l3, at its end-as shown in Figure 8-to engage a bolt I4 connecting the rod with the switch operating bar IS. The normal pull of the spring Ill is to close the switch to the main line.

Also attached to the bolt M is a tongue 16 having a bifurcated end H formed with opposed eyes I 8, through whichis received the T-head IQ of a latch rod 25, which has a threaded end v 2 |see Figure 7. Slidably mounted by means of a slot 22 on the tongue I5 is a U-shaped forward latch member 23see Figure 5-and slidably mounted by opening 24 on the rod 20 is a rear U-shaped latch member 25-see Figure 6. A nut 25 on the threaded end 2| of the rod 25 functions as a stop to prevent disengagement of the member 25 from the rod. A push spring 21 is mounted about the rod 20 and bears against the eyes l8 and T-head i9 of the rod 23, at one end and against the U-shaped member 25 at the other.

Pivoted on the pin 9 is a latch arm 28 having side members or bars 29 and angled upwardly, as at 29*, at its rear end adjacent the cross strap 30 to provide a foot pedal. To the ends of the side members is mounted a transverse pin 3| to The pull rod i2 is,

which are pivotally mounted the side members or bars 32 of another latch element 33, which side members are pivotally engaged by the side arm 34 of the forward U-shaped member 23. The side arms 35 of the rear U-shaped member 25 are pivoted to the side members 32 of the latch element 33 between their ends.

In operation, assuming that the switch is open to the spur, as in Figures 1 and 2, with the latch members 28 and 33, are horizontally aligned with the angled part 29 extending up, as in Figure to present the foot pedal cross bar 30, as ifiOWIl, the car having been cut into the spur, it is merely necessary to step on the bar 32. to pivot; the members 28 and 33 to the position shown in Figure 3, whereupon the action of springs t9 and 21 is to pull and push the switch operating rod l to throw the switch 3 to close the, spur and open the main lines, To return the switch to its original position, as shown in Figure 1, it is merely necessary to step on the pin 3| to press down the members 2-8 and 33 to the positions of Figures 1 and 2 to again throw the switch to open the line to the spur.

It will be understood that although the pin 3| is illustrated with the center thereof ina plane extended through the bolt head I9 and pin 9v the play in the bolt holes through which the pin 3| extends is suflicient to permit the pin 3| to be forced downwardly below a plane extended through the center of the head l9 and pin 9 whereby the elements are locked in the position shown in Figure 2 with the latch in the open position.

In Figures 9 and 10 a modified form of the invention is shown wherein the rod and its component elements are removed and the side members 32' are connected directly to the tongue l6 by the bolt 49. This form of the invention being used when a spring switch is not involved.

From the foregoing it is believed that the oporation and advantages of my invention will be apparent, but it is again emphasized that interpretati'on of its scope should only be conclusive when made in the light of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a switch actuator for a track having rails mounted on ties, the combination which comprises. an anchoring pin positioned at one side of the track and spaced from the rails thereof, means mounting the anchoring pin on the ties of the track, a pair of bars. pivotally mounted on the said pin and extended toward the track, a coacting. Pair of bars pivotally connected to thebars extended from the anchoring pin, a tongue to which the said coacting pair oi bars. is attached, a latch member pivotally mounted on the. track ends. of, the said coacting pair of bars and through which said tongue extends, means. connecting the tongue. to movable switch elements. of the track, a. spring positioned between the said coacting bars for placing compression on the tongue. to. retain the switch in the open position, and a, spring connected across the outer ends of bothpairs of bars for placing compression in the bars with, the said pairs of bars; in horizontal alignment and for urging the said bars to retracted positions.

2. In a switch actuator for a track having rails mounted on ties, the combination which comprises an anchoring pin positioned at one side of the track and spaced from the rails thereof, means mounting the anchoring pin on the ties of the track, a pair of bars pivotally mounted on the said pin and extended toward the track, said bars having upwardly disposed ends extended beyond the said anchoring pin providing a foot treadle for urging the opposite ends of the bars upwardly, a coacting pair of bars pivotally connected to. the bars extended from the anchoring pin, a, tongue. to which the said coacting pair of bars is attached, a latch member pivotally mounted on the track ends of the said coacting pair of bars and through which said tongue extends, means connecting the tongue to movable switch elements of the track, a spring positioned between the said coacting bars for placing compression on the tongue to retain the switch in the open position, and a, spring connected across the outer ends of both pairs of bars for placing compression in the bars with the said pairs of bars 3. In a switch actuator for a track having rails mounted on ties, the combination which comprises an anchoring pin positioned at one side of the track and spaced from the rails thereof, means mounting the anchoring pin on the ties of the track, a pair of bars pivotally mounted on the said pin and extended toward the track, said bars having upwardly disposed ends extended beyond the said anchoring pin providing a foot treadle for urging the opposite ends of the bars upwardly, a coacting pair of bars pivotally connected to the bars extended from the anchoring pin, a tongue to which the said coacting pair of bars is attached, a latch member pivotally mounted on the track; ends of the said coacting pair of bars and through which said tongue extends, means, connecting the tongue to movable switch elements of the track, a spring for placing compression in, the barsv with the said pairs of bars in horizontal alignment, a spring positioned between the bars with one end connected to the anchoring pin, a lever connecting the opposite end of. the spring to the said tongue and a compression spring positioned between the said coacting bars and connected to the inner end of the tongue for urging the tongue outwardly from the bars.

JAMES, E. TROSPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,105,996 Orbik Aug. 4, 1914 1,185,456 Williams May 30, 1916 

